Victoria Royals’ 2018 has begun similarly to how 2017 finished, working the phones and continuing with what seems like endless roster tinkering.

Earlier this week, the Royals exchanged a defenseman for a forward and added another winger – Russian forward Andrei Grishakov.

Royals trade Jeremy Masella to Prince Albert Raiders

Jeremy Masella has been traded to the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for right winger D-Jay Jerome.

Masella was undrafted into the WHL before the Royals signed him in 2015. He joined the team for the 2016-17 season and since has posted 3 goals and 8 points in 63 career games along with 64 penalty minutes.

Jerome is a 6’2 right winger who joins the squad with 17 points in 86 career games. This season, he has a single assist in 31 games with Prince Albert.

The Lethbridge, Alberta native is expected to round out the bottom of the forward group.

Royals acquire forward Andrei Grishakov in exchange for 2019 pick

The Victoria Royals acquired Russian-born import forward Andrei Grishakov from the Calgary Hitmen today in exchange for a 2019 3rd round draft pick. The Royals had an empty slot for a foreign player, which Grishakov immediately fills.

At 6’1″ and 200 pounds, Grishakov will be expected to crash the crease alongside the team’s elite centermen.

So far the native of Chelyabinsk, Russia has amassed 11 goals and 15 assists in 37 contests this season.

Royals defeat the Everett Silvertips

The Victoria Royals earned a 5-0 victory over the Everett Silvertips on Friday night as Griffen Outhouse tied the franchise record for most career shutouts with 10.

Andrei Grishakov scored his first goal with the team.

The Royals head to Kamloops as they square off against the Blazers tonight with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

On Sunday, Victoria rolls into Everett to take on the Silvertips then return home on Friday, January 12th against the Kamloops Blazers.